Greece (officially known as the Hellenic Republic) is geographically located in the east of Europe - bordering Albania, North Macedonia, Bulgaria and Turkey - and has a majority Eastern Orthodox Christian population. Its territory includes thousands of islands scattered throughout the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea and Mediterranean Sea, the biggest being Crete.

Greece has gained a global reputation due to its legacy of its ancient roots and history, particularly in Western politics, philosophy, medicine, science and mathematics - but also for it’s hospitality, passion and “kefi” (an inherent openness to living life with bliss, savouring the moment and having fun). Greeks continue to pay homage to this heritage, as well as their “more current” national identity that centres around the Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition.

Greece is however, unlike other Eastern Orthodox European countries, mostly associated with the West. This is partly because Greece managed to remain outside of Russia’s sphere of influence after World War II; allying with Western Europe and subsequently been a long-term member of the European Union (EU).

Many aspects of Greek society have had to adapt to the pressures of the 21st century; however, family solidarity, generosity, philotimia, meraki and interdependence, remain deeply important to people’s lives. Lively conversation, sincere rational debates, and passion form  an integral part of how Greeks interact with one another both in Greece and amongst Greeks living around the world.